Utsynispallur is a roadside viewpoint above the sea at the mouth of the Strákagöng tunnel, on the last stretch of road into Siglufjörður in Northeast Iceland. The view runs north over open water, and the ground drops away below the parking area. The stop is free, open at any hour and has no facilities of any kind. Most drivers come out of the tunnel, pull in for the view and carry on; it also works as a place to stop and eat.
Utsynispallur Viewpoint
Local name: Útsýnispallur
The ground beside the road at the viewpoint is visibly sliding away downhill.
- Entrance
- Free. No ticket and no gate.
- Parking
- Free car park at the viewpoint, about 20 m from it. A second car park lies about 1 km away.
- Difficulty
- Roadside stop at car park level. No path, steps or climb.
- Transport
- No bus stops here. Nearest stops: Siglufjörður - Olís, about 4.2 km, and Siglufjörður - Snorragata suður, about 4.8 km.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours.
- Address
- 580 Siglufjörður, Iceland
What makes it special
The stop is at the mouth of the Strákagöng tunnel, on the western shore of the fjord. The ground falls away in front of the car park, and the view runs north over open water with no far shore in it. That is the whole attraction: a car park, a low horizon and the Arctic Ocean. Sheep graze around the parking area. Look at the verge beside the road as well — the ground there is sliding downhill, and the slip is plain to see. The viewpoint is not comfortable if heights bother you; the drop begins at the edge of the parking area.
Good to know
- No facilities — there are no toilets, no drinking water and no information board at the viewpoint.
- A steep drop — the ground falls away at the edge of the parking area. The stop is uncomfortable if you are afraid of heights.
- Moving ground — the verge beside the road is sliding downhill. Keep to the made surface.
- Sheep — sheep graze around the parking area; check for them before you pull back onto the road.
Getting there
Utsynispallur sits at the mouth of the Strákagöng tunnel, on the western shore of the fjord and on the last stretch of road before Siglufjörður. Coming through the tunnel towards the town, the pull-in is immediately at the exit. You park and step out: there is no path, no steps and no walk in. No bus serves the viewpoint. The nearest stops are down in Siglufjörður, so in practice you need a car.
Best time to visit
Better: late in the day, with the sun in the western half of the sky.
Avoid: low cloud and fog.
The stop faces open water and offers nothing but the view, so the weather decides the visit. In clear evening light the sea and the coast north of the tunnel are the reason to time the drive; in cloud there is nothing to look at but the car park.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Utsynispallur Viewpoint on the map
The ground next to the road is slipping away downhill. Stay on the made surface, keep children close, and do not walk out onto the sliding edge — the slope below the viewpoint is steep.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there anything to do here besides look at the view?
No. It is a roadside stop: park, look north over the sea, drive on. It also works as a place to pull over and eat.Is it suitable if you are afraid of heights?
Probably not. The viewpoint stands above a drop that begins at the edge of the parking area.Are there toilets or drinking water?
No. There are no toilets, no drinking water and no information point at the viewpoint or anywhere near it.Can you get there by public transport?
No bus stops at the viewpoint. The nearest stops are in Siglufjörður, so you need a car.